Processed
Cholecalciferol
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is the animal-form vitamin D used to fortify milk, plant milks, margarines, cereals, and supplements so diets support calcium absorption and bone health where sunlight exposure is limited. It is fat-soluble and typically carried on oil, starch, or spray-dried beadlets for even dispersion in food matrices. Pure crystalline D3 is white to off-white and extremely potent by weight—food use is micrograms (IU) only. Lanolin-derived and lichen or other non-animal routes supply different labelling needs. Stability depends on light, oxygen, and packaging; premixes protect activity through processing.
Also known as: Vitamin D3 / Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D3, D-vitamin / Kolekalciferol
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Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0.93 g
- Saturated Fat 0.51 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.21 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 19.1 mg
- Salt 0.05 g
- Total Carbohydrate 88.3 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 86.2 g
- Complex / starch 1.98 g
- Protein 1.94 g
- Water 4.98 g
- Energy 373 kcal
- Water 4.98 g
- Carbohydrates 88.3 g
- Sugars 86.2 g
- Monosaccharides 60.4 g
- Disaccharides 25.9 g
- Starch 1.98 g
- Amylose 0.5 g
- Amylopectin 1.49 g
- Digestible Starch 1.68 g
- Resistant Starch 0.2 g
- Protein 1.94 g
- Fat 0.93 g
- Saturated Fat 0.51 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.21 g
- Vitamins 25.2 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.01 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 0.11 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.06 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 0.2 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 2.2 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.11 mg
- Vitamin K 0.5 µg
- Minerals 256 mg
- Major Minerals 249 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.4 mg
- Salt 0.05 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.05 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.01 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.02 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 0.11 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.06 · vitamin-b6: 0.02 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 0.2 · vitamin-b9-folate: 2.2 · vitamin-e: 0.11 · vitamin-k: 0.5 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 19.1 · Potassium: 175 · Calcium: 55 · Iron: 1 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·
Refined processed sweeteners and additives are energy-dense carbohydrate with little else.
In the kitchen
Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Cholecalciferol.
Usually avoid with
Often clash in flavour or tradition
History
Researchers linked cod-liver oil and ultraviolet light to rickets prevention, identifying the vitamin D complex.
Milk irradiation and later direct D fortification campaigns reduced rickets in industrial cities.
Structure work distinguished vitamin D forms; cholecalciferol was characterised as the D3 form.
Industrial synthesis from lanolin cholesterol intermediates scaled pure cholecalciferol supply.
Plant milks and vegan D3 sources expanded cholecalciferol and related D fortification beyond dairy.